Jobs fear over funding crisis at Solihull College

UP to 100 jobs could be at risk following reductions in funding at Solihull College.

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UP to 100 jobs could be at risk following reductions in funding at Solihull College.

This week, the Universities and Colleges Union warned that plans to cut back on adult education courses could lead to redundancies.

Nick Varney, the union’s regional spokesman, said: “Potentially at risk are 90-plus lecturers and teaching staff, many of them part-time, and some non-teaching staff.”

Earlier this year, the LSC announced a national shift in funding - choosing to focus on courses which help people to find jobs and those which boost the local economy.

A spokesman for Solihull College said: “This has an impact on the level of funding that can be allocated to learning outside of these priorities including languages and as a result of this the college is considering its options, for instance opportunities to deliver provision through other funding sources. This has resulted in a modified range of languages being offered this September.”

But the changes proposed have angered those students who are already studying the subjects.

Mike Kelly, from Kings Heath, completed a Spanish diploma at the college and warned that plans will leave many students “in total limbo”.

“The logic of this decision beggars all reasonable belief for a government with an education, education, education election platform.

“The key factor of this decision is that it leaves those who have just started languages courses in total limbo, year one cannot progress to year two, nor two to year three.”

It is hoped that Solihull College can win the council’s tender for community learning courses - which will be completed next week. This may help to mitigate the effect of LSC cuts.

In the meanwhile a spokesman said that the college was working closely with unions to minimise the impact of changes.

Anyone with questions about their course is encouraged to go along to open evenings on June 16 (Blossomfield campus) and June 17 (Woodlands campus). Or for more details go to www.solihull.ac.uk.

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